Actions of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β on central synaptic transmission

Abstract

It is now clear that IL-1β has profound and complex actions in the CNS. At pathophysiological concentrations it has an inhibitory effect on LTP in many regions of the hippocampus. There is also evidence emerging for a physiological role for IL-1β in the brain. Table 1 summarizes the effects of IL-1β and some other pro-inflammatory cytokines in the CNS.